System for remote monitoring and data transmission over non-dedicated telephone lines

• US 4,361,851 A
• Filed: 01/04/1980
• Issued: 11/30/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Miklos L. Bartha, William F. Asip
• Original Assignee: Miklos L. Bartha, William F. Asip
• Inventors: Bartha, Miklos L., Asip, William F.
• Primary Examiner(s): ORSINO JR, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US06/109,624
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 358/84, 358/86, 455/2, 455/3, 455/5, 179/2 AS, 179/2 AM, 179/2 DP, 340/151, 340/152 T, 340/152 R
• US Class Current: 725/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/17381 the upstream transmission being initiated by the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17327 with deferred transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

A system, consisting of a plurality of Remote Monitoring Units and a Central Computer, for automatically monitoring the selection of a Program Source made by a Subscriber. Each Remote Monitoring Unit has a microprocessor, associated Program and Data Memory, and Control and Interface circuitry. Each of the remote monitoring units maintains a software implemented real-time-clock. When a selection has been made by a Subscriber, the time of day and channel identification (ID) is recorded in the onboard memory.

Communication with the central office computer is initiated by the remote monitoring unit at preprogrammed intervals over the conventional voice telephone network using the individual Subscriber'"'"'s telephone line. Communication with the central office computer is via frequency shift keyed audio tones. The data sent is the information required to generate billing based on Subscriber viewing, and consists of a unique identity code for each monitoring unit, the channels selected by the Subscriber, and the time of each selection. The remote monitoring unit is capable of receiving messages from the central computer and retransmitting the stored data in the event of an unsuccessful contact, as well as disabling the program selector and access device on command.

The remote monitoring unit accesses the Subscriber'"'"'s telephone line via an integral telephone interface device, and avoids conflict with normal use of the telephone line.

Claims

1. A television use monitoring device for direct electrical connection to a telephone line, comprising:

(a) coupling means coupled to said television for detecting when said television is actively receiving a predetermined channel and producing, in response thereto a program selection signal indicating the active reception of a particular program selection;

(b) timer means for providing timing information;

(c) transient memory means responsive to said coupling means to store, in response to a first control signal, said program selection signal associated with a particular program whose active reception has been detected;

(d) second memory means responsive to said transient memory means to receive the output of said transient memory means in response to a second control signal and produce the same at its output in response to a third control signal;

(e) control means responsive to said timer for periodically causing said transient memory means to store any program selection signal present in the system, and reading the contents of said transient memory means, and responsive to said transient memory means to cause said transient memory means to transfer its contents to said second memory means in response to the detection of said program selection at one point in time and a second detection of the same program selection a predetermined period of time thereafter;

(f) interface means, responsive to said control means and said second memory means to encode said program selection signal for transmission; and

(g) transmission coupling means, responsive to said interface means, to couple the output of said interface means to conventional telephone lines and transmit said program selection to a central billing facility.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein, said interface means comprises:

(a) means for encoding the output of said second memory means into a serial binary signal; and

(b) tone generator means for converting said binary signal into a frequency shift keyed audio signal.

3. A device, as in claim 2, further comprising:

(h) means for detecting control signals from said central facility; and

(i) second control means responsive to said detecting means to disable said television when said coupling means detects active reception of said predetermined channel.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said interface means is responsive to periodic signals from said timer to initiate the action of said interface means and said coupling means, and futher comprising identification means for generating, in response to said initiation, an identification signal and coupling it to said interface means for transmission to said central facility.

5. A device as in claim 4, further comprising means for receiving a second identification signal over said telephone lines and actuating said identification means in response thereto.

6. A device as in claim 5, further comprising means for receiving additional information bearing signals and coupling them to said tone generator for transmission to said central billing facility.